Perdue environmental stewardship summary published

SALISBURY, MD — Perdue Inc. recently published its 12-page summary of its environmental programs and accomplishments. "Environmental Stewardship: The Nature of our Company" describes the company’s environmental programs and current initiatives, as well as its environmental partnerships.

"The Perdue commitment to quality extends to everything we do, including our environmental policies," said Jim Perdue, chairman. "While there’s always more to do, we’re as proud of our environmental record and programs as we are of our quality, and are happy to share this information."

Included in the new publication is a description of the company’s comprehensive approach to environmental stewardship from Steve Schwalb, vice president of environmental sustainability; information about the Perdue Environmental Steering Committee; details about the firm’s three environmental sustainability platforms’ and environmental success stories.

Perdue relays it was among the first poultry companies to designate an Environmental Services department. Perdue said it was also the first poultry company to develop a large-scale alternative use for surplus poultry litter, operating the first-of-its kind facility to convert poultry litter into organic fertilizer product.

In October 2007, the Perdue Environmental Steering Committee was formed to move the company’s existing environmental initiatives into a more formal process to measure, track and report on environmental efforts across the company.

Shortly after the Steering Committee was formed, the company created an expanded environmental leadership role reporting directly to Jim Perdue and named Mr. Schwalb vice president of environmental sustainability. Mr. Schwalb served as interim vice president of environmental services prior to the creation of this new position for the company. He is responsible for coordinating the company-wide environmental stewardship initiatives, working in conjunction with Perdue’s Environmental Steering Committee. He also oversees Perdue’s relationships with state and federal environmental regulatory agencies and key environmental groups.